Lily plant named ‘BJM 004’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct lily plant substantially as shown and described, characterized by (1) stem thickness supported by flower crown without bending (9 mm in diameter); (2) straight stems with even leaf distribution from bottom to top (102 leaves per plant); (3) flower crown compact (around 12×12 cm); (4) flower sizes large (11-14 cm long 11-14 cm wide at open stage); (5) continuous blooms for two to four weeks; (6) coloration of leaves uniform from bottom to top; (7) height of plant around 30 cm; and (8) red flowers.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Lilium Asiatic×L. longiflorum hydrid.

Botanical name—variety denomination: ‘BJM 004’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/287,591.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

FIELD

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Lilium named ‘BJM 004’ characterized by large snowy red flower crowns on strong stems with rich green foliage. This cultivar is winter hardy, sprouts freely and can provide a short garden/specimen plant of up to 10 blooms.

SUMMARY

A new and distinct cultivar of Lilium Asiatic×L. longiflorum hybrid named ‘BJM 004’ substantially as herein shown and described in FIGS. 1-4. The parentage of the new longiflorum variety is not known, the parentage of the Asiatic parent is ‘Little Missy’ (unpatented). The variety was developed as part of a breeding program in New Brunswick, N.J.

The new variety is characterized by numerous red compact flower crowns on short straight strong stems with rich green plentiful foliage. The following traits have been repeatedly observed in asexually propagated progeny and are determined to be the basic characteristics of this invention which in combination distinguish this lily as a new and distinct cultivar: (1) stem thickness supported by flower crown without bending (9 mm in diameter); (2) straight stems with even leaf distribution from bottom to top (102 leaves per plant); (3) flower crown compact (around 12×12 cm); (4) flower sizes large (11-14 cm long 11-14 cm wide at open stage); (5) continuous blooms for two to four weeks; (6) coloration of leaves uniform from bottom to top; (7) height of plant around 30 cm; and (8) red flowers. To the inventor's knowledge, there are no other cultivars of lily of this size of plant or in terms of the superior plant and flower quality in the market.

‘BJM 004’ has been asexually reproduced by tissue culture using bulb scale in New Brunswick, N.J. No evidence of off-types of ‘BJM 004’ have been observed or reported to us. Thus, it is concluded that ‘BJM 004’ is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following detailed description concerns the variety ‘BJM 004’. Progeny of the original plant have been observed growing in cultivated areas in New Brunswick, N.J. Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (such as light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, soil or other factors). Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their horticultural descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are used with reference to the Munsell Color Charts for Plant Tissues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph showing several plants of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing a close-up of the flowers of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing a close-up of the flowers the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing the stalk of the new variety.

The colors of an illustration of this type may vary with lighting and other conditions and, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from this illustration alone.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the invention based on lily plant ‘BJM 004’ produced under asexual reproduction by tissue culturing. Characteristics based on observations of a nine-month-old plant.

-   I. Relating to the plant:     -   -   Origin.—New Brunswick, N.J.         -   Parentage.—Lilium Asiatic ‘Little Missy’×L. longiflorum             hybrid.         -   Seed parent.—L. Asiatic ‘Little Missy’ (unpatented).         -   Pollen parent.—L. longiflorum hybrid.         -   Commercial classification.—Bedding, specimen plant.         -   Classification.—Division 5, according to the Horticultural             Classification of Lilies by The Royal Horticultural Society             of London.         -   Height.—Approximately 30 cm. from the top of the soil to the             top of the flowers from bulbs of 12 cm in circumference.         -   Stem color.—Green-yellow — Munsell 5 GY, V5/C4-6.         -   Stem diameter.—9 mm.         -   Foliage.—102 leaves.         -   Leaf arrangement.—Staggered upright.         -   Leaf size.—Approximately 6 cm long 1.3 cm wide.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Green-yellow — Munsell 5GY V4/C6.         -   Color.—White.         -   USDA Zone.—Winter hardy to USDA zone 6. -   II. The bud:     -   -   Size.—6 cm long and 2 cm wide just prior to opening.         -   Color.—Red — Munsell 5RP V4/C10. -   III. The flower:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Terminal inflorescence.         -   Days to bloom.—Flowers approximately 84 days after spring             greenhouse planting (70-78° F. during the day, 60-70° F. at             night) under typical commercial flower forcing conditions of             16° Celsius night time temperatures.         -   Inflorescence size.—Approximately 11 cm to 14 cm high and 11             cm to 14 cm wide when there are 3 flowers present.         -   Flower size.—Large.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 11 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 6 cm to 6.5 cm.         -   Tepal number.—6.         -   Flower color.—Inner color red shades — 5R, V3/C6; outer             color: 5R, V4/C8-10 Munsell.         -   Tepal shape.—Slight cup, inner; tip bent outward.         -   Texture.—Shiny/matte finish. -   IV. The reproductive organs:     -   -   Number.—6.         -   Anthers before dehiscence.—Approximately 1 cm. Color: red             shades — 10R, V4/C10 Munsell.         -   Filaments.—Length: approximately 5.2 cm; Color: red shades —             5RP V5/C10, bottom fades to 5YR V8/C4 Munsell.         -   Pollen.—Color: yellow — 2.5Y V8/C10 Munsell.         -   Pistil.—Exserted beyond stamens.         -   Number.—1.         -   Style.—Length: approximately 4.5 cm; Color: red — 10R V4-C8             Munsell.         -   Stigma.—Color: yellow-red — 5YR, V3/C2 Munsell. -   V. The fruit:     -   -   Fertility.—None.

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘BJM 004’ to other varieties Parent Parent L. longiflorum L. Asiatic hybrid ‘BJM 004’ ‘BJM 005’ ‘Little Missy’ (2-1 × 4-8) (61-1) (61-2) Plant Height 25 cm 27 cm 30 cm 40 cm Flower color Dark pink, White Red (5R Red/Purple speckled with (RHSCC V4/C8-10) (RP white marks Group 155B) V4-5/C8-10) on petals Leaf Count 80 55 avg 102 avg. 115 avg. Days to 120 days 127 days 84 days 90 days bloom Rebloom fall No No Yes No Rebloom No Yes Yes Yes spring 

1. A new and distinct lily plant as herein illustrated and described. 